I've seen some negativity on this board, and some criticism of Coach Saban. That is certainly understandable, to a point. Some of us did not want to have to face this day, especially not this soon and not in this way. But, fellas, we all knew this day would come. We knew it would come when we hired Nick Saban five years ago, knowing that, should he be successful in getting LSU back to national prominence (which he was, more quickly and more emphatically than I ever thought possible), that the next level would come calling and that he would eventually go after it. Coach Saban has always wanted to coach in the NFL; everything about his career and everything he's done in the past has said that loud and clear. However, when he came to LSU, I believe what happened here exceeded even his own expectations, and, even though he still thought about the NFL, he also had to think long and hard about walking away from what he had here. Following the actions of the last few weeks, I don't believe for a bit that this was a "done deal." I do believe we have such a great program at LSU now and such an atmosphere of support and total commitment to the program that we made it a real tough decision, even with the massive amounts of cash the Dolphins threw at him. It wasn't even about the money; it was about making sure that Miami was "the right fit" for him. I don't know if it is or not; I would think that the Dolphins are in such disarray that it will take a lot of time and effort to rebuild that team. But obviously, after careful consideration, Coach Saban thought it was the right fit, and he consulted with his agent, his friends, and his family and they made the decision to go ahead. I don't have any negative feelings about any of this. For those of you who do, I won't presume to lecture you about what you should feel. Instead, I'll just tell you how I feel. I am now, and will forever be, eternally grateful to Coach Saban for the role he played in returning the LSU Fightin' Tiger football program to national prominence. When he got here, the program was in very bad shape. A decade of underachievement, disappointment, and disarray had left the program devoid of any pride, and Louisiana's best athletes were going elsewhere to play college ball. Death Valley had become a hollow joke, games were no longer standing room only, and the fans were just as apt to boo their own team as they were the opponents (it hurts to say that, but it was the truth, and ya'll who were there, you know it's the truth). Coach Saban changed all of that. We once again are a force to be reckoned with in the SEC year in and year out. Louisiana's best young talent now stays at home for college (at least the vast majority of them). Death Valley is once again a terrifying place to play for opposing teams (30-5 at home under Saban, 11 game home winning streak, undefeated season at home for the first time in 30 years). After enduring the horror that was the 1990s for LSU football, and enjoying these last five glorious years, I know I don't ever want to go back there. Thanks to Coach Saban's efforts and leadership, and Skip Bertman's as well, I know I won't have to. If Skip holds the line on keeping politics out of this, having a national search, interviewing outstanding candidates, and making a selection based only on merit and potential, we will hire an outstanding coach. We will hire an outstanding coach because Coach Saban left this program in fantastic shape. He did what we asked him to do. Do I wish he would stay for 4-12 more years and make us a dynasty? Of course I do. But we can still be a dynasty without him, because of what he did for us. If his dream is to succeed in the NFL as a head coach, then I can't fault him for that. I also have no bitterness about "the way he left," whatever that means. He left the way most others leave. He agonized over the decision, he made it, he told the players and the staff first (as he should have) and then he made the announcement. I don't know what more can or should be expected from the man. I'm just glad we at least made him think about it. Coach Saban, I thank you for what you have done for LSU, and I wish you nothing but the best in all your endeavours from here on out. Now, looking to the future, we must keep this going. I would rather not hire a coach with NFL ties or NFL pedigree, because in the interest of program stability, we need a coach who is a "college guy" who will see LSU as a "destination job," which it is, for guys who are strictly college coaches. Unlike back in 1999, where we needed a "Messiah coach" in the worst way, we have that option now. There is one guy I really like out there; Dan Hawkins of Boise State. I'm also cool with Butch Davis, Rich Rodriguez, Norm Chow, and a few others. Times like this, I'm glad Joe Dean is no longer AD. We cannot try to "hire cheap" (and just you watch, there will be political pressure from some quarters in this state to make a low-budget hire). In this business, you get what you pay for, and if we want a solid hire, we will have to shove out the mega-bucks (maybe not make him highest paid, but it will have to be a secure contract). I know for a fact that Hawkins just signed a long term, eight figure deal with Boise State, so we will have to pay through the nose to get him (don't know what his buyout terms are, will have to investigate). But that's just the way college ball is now. Whoever we hire, I know that, because of Coach Saban, we are now considered a plum position. For that, like for everything else, I have nothing for the man but gratitude and good feelings.
Ditto and amen! One caveat: Peter Finney of the N.O. Times-Picayune nailed it when he said Saban could have handled it better. But you're right, one way or the other he was going, no use crying over spilt milk. I'd love to hear more about Hawkins. And Glenn at Wyoming. I'd like to read some realistic discussion of the next coach --- I think Tuberville is a possibility and worthy of discussion. I don't think Spurrier is a viable candidate. I'd like to hear some thoughts on whether Petrino is a viable candidate, given his recent contract extension. I'd like to hear Tiger fans' thoughts on Rich Rodriguez; I think he would be an excellent fit and hire. I'd like to hear more about Mike Nolan's bio (DC w/ the Ravens.) And I think Del Rio is a very intriguing possibility but I don't know if he'd leave an NFL head-coaching job for college. I would have jumped at Erickson or Davis a few years ago, but, at this point, probably wouldn't.:geaux:
Holy crap, that is long. I read parts... mostly skimmed. I don't think people want to read novels here on TF. Try breaking down those thoughts to seperate threads or something next time. But, what I read was well thought out (maybe to much for a message board) and a good piece.
I'm familiar with Joe Glenn as he coached a lot of years at the University of Northern Colorado and won a couple of Div II titles. He's an upbeat, personable guy with a heck of a sense of humor. I don't think I've ever heard a negative word out of his mouth in countless interviews over the years. He's got a great offensive mind. The only drawback is I just don't think he's ready for the "big time".
